Worship through Music

Sometimes a song just reaches out and grabs your soul....  I have a few that bring me to tears each time I hear them. 

Kutless

Everybody falls sometimes

Gotta find the strength to rise

From the ashes

And make a new beginning

Anyone can feel the ache
You think it's more than you can take
But you're stronger
Stronger than you know

Don't you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

It doesn't matter what you've heard
Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason
For someone not to try

Everybody's scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It'll be alright

Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
(That's what faith can do)
When the world says you can't
It'll tell you that you can
That's what faith can do
That's what faith can do

Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise

 

Redeemed

Big Daddy Weave

from the album Love Come To Life

                                       

Seems like all I could see was the struggle
Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past
Bound up in shackles of all my failures
Wondering how long is this gonna last
Then You look at this prisoner and say to me
“Son, stop fighting a fight that's already been won”

(Chorus)
I am redeemed
You set me free
So I'll shake off theses heavy chains
And wipe away every stain
Now I'm not who I used to be
I am redeemed
I am redeemed

All my life I have been called unworthy
Named by the voice of my shame and regret
But when I hear You whisper, “Child lift up your head”
I remember oh God, You're not done with me yet

Chorus

I don't have to be
The old man inside of me
'Cause his day is long dead and gone
Because I've got a new name
A new life I'm not the same
And a hope that will carry me home

Chorus (X2)

• 

  Greater

  MercyMe

  from the album Welcome To The New

                                               

  Bring your tired
  Bring your shame
  Bring your guilt
  Bring your pain
  Don't you know that's not your name
  You will always be much more to me
  
  Everyday I wrestle with the voices
  That keep telling me I'm not right
  But that's alright
  
  ‘Cause I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed
  When others say I'll never be enough
  And greater is the One living inside of me
  Than he who is living in the world
  In the world
  In the world
  And greater is the One living inside of me
  Than he who is living in the world
  
  Bring your doubts
  Bring your fears
  Bring your hurt
  Bring your tears
  There'll be no condemnation here
  You are holy, righteous and redeemed
  
  Every time I fall
  There'll be those who will call me
  A mistake
  Well, that's ok
  
  There'll be days I lose the battle
  Grace says that it doesn't matter
  ‘Cause the cross already won the war
  He's greater
  He's greater
  I am learning to run freely
  Understanding just how He sees me
  And it makes me love Him more and more
  He's greater
  He's greater
  
  

In the World...Not of the World

1 John 2:15 (NAS) Do not love the world nor the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the Father is not in Him.  

God made the entire world and all in it, and set up in the world to walk, work and fellowship.  So is He referring to the sinful, worldly actions.  Those aside from His desires and will for our lives?  I think so....

When I was a child I became involved in a church that took an approach to Christian faith that was similar to Israel's separation laws in Leviticus 11.  We had lists of things that a Christian did and did not do;  things that set us apart from others.  The members carried covered Bibles to church and read them throughout the week.  The teens were for the most part discipled to not go to certain movies, smoke, dance, drink alcohol or utter cuss words.  I went to church on Sunday two times and on Wednesday nights.  Despite what some may think, it wasn't a burden for me to live by those rules.  I followed them joyfully, for in that same church I found warmth, acceptance, nurture, enthusiasm, commitment, fervent prayer and an honest caring for one another as well as for the eternal destiny of our family, friends and neighbors.  It was only later that I came to realize the truth.  Our very real "separation" wasn't defined by the do's and don'ts at all.  What really made us different and set apart as a true community of God's people on earth was the warmth and joy, the peace, the caring, and the commitment that I experienced in that first church I joined, so long ago.  

This is why I so wanted to raise my children with the community of believers and why I desire to fellowship with and share life with those who truly care and love, with His love.  No church is perfect, because the church is made up of US, us sinful, prideful, people trying to share and live His love in this world.

Wherever I worship with other believers I feel that same sense of community.  More so than anywhere else in this world.  

Love Outloud

Lately, I have been witnessing a lot of "loving outloud".  The term originated for me with Love Does by Bob Goff.  If you have not read his book, it is a must.  A compilation of short stories from his life in which he witness or experiences himself love in action.  Love should be an action, not just a feeling, or a fleeting moment in our life.  I am a "doer", so the idea of love in action is so powerful to me.
Here are some examples from the month of February, 2015.

My oldest daughter is full-time caregiver for her husband who is battling leukemia.  He has walking pneumonia presently and has recently been released from the bone marrow program at UCSF and has been in and out of the hospital over the last 8 months.  My daughter is my hero at this moment.  She has unwavering love for her husband and has been given extra compassion, love, and patience to handle whatever his care plan requires.  Amazing love in action.  I pray for her strength and peace for her everyday.

My youngest son had surgery yesterday on his shoulder (reconstruction of the shoulder) and a friend is taking care of him.  She is a God send and is doing an incredible job with him.  He is fighting the pain and discomfort and she is an angel sent from above.  Even with his crankies, she has such a great attitude.  I continue to pray for both of them.

I have friends who are taking care of their disabled children and aging parents and caring for their daily needs.  I see the joy in their eyes when they share their experiences of loving their children/parents this way.  They truly are receiving God's blessing each day.

I have friends in the hospital and many are visiting them and bringing a bit of joy each time they see them.

I have friends that have lost family members recently and the community of people by their side is amazing.

I know many single parents who are persevering with one or more children.  Being mom and dad to them.

I know grandparents raising their grandchildren and giving them amazing lives, in the midst of no parents around.

I know some who are being blessed in the midst of financial ruin.  They are receiving blessings unheard of and provisions to many to count, while looking for work.

God gives each of us a smile, love and compassion and we are to share that with others in our life everyday.   Just a few examples of Love Outloud this month.

Joy in the Midst of Trials

 James 1:2-4

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Yesterday I experienced a day filled with joy.   I was praising God all day for His love, His care, and I was able to give Him all my worries and cares. (and I did not try to take anything back to care for myself). 

My prayer list is quite long and I tend to take on the needs and worry instead of trusting God with the needs. 
I received many comments on the lack of Christmas news this year.  I sent out a simple cards with a picture of my husband and I.  So on with the news:

Our oldest daughter was married in November.  Her and her husband live two miles away in Penn Valley in a beautiful ranch home with a couple acres.  Her husband's leukemia came back after being in remission for a few years.  His sister donated her bone morrow in December and the transplant did not take.  He is currently in the hospital with staff infection and pneumonia.  My daughter works at a hair salon in Grass Valley and takes care of her husband and his needs.  Praying for them always!

Our oldest twin was married in September and has recently changes jobs.  He is now working for Sun Run Solar, selling solar systems to homeowners.  Our daughter-in-law is a nurse in Ventura, they live in a beautiful place in Ventura.  Her grandmother was recently diagnosed with cancer. Praying for them always!

Our youngest twin moved back from Oahu and lives with his twin in Ventura and works for Sun Run Solar also.  Praying for him always!

Our youngest son is in the army and stationed in Ft. Drum, NY.  He is having shoulder surgery on Wednesday.  He is in the middle of the extreme winter weather on the East Coast.  He is due to separate from the army in July.  Praying for him always!

Our youngest daughter is working her way through her third year of college in CSU Monterey Bay.  She works and pays her way through college.  She is dating a young man who graduated last May and works full time as a personal trainer.  Praying for them always!

Today I have many prayers to lay before the only One who can care for them all.  I have a friend in the hospital, my sister-in-law is having a knee replacement on Wednesday, my parents are snow birding in Mexico(praying for safety), many church members with health issues, my daughter and son-in-law, and all of my children in their daily affairs.

Traditions

Follow-up:  The Baby Shower went great!  It was greatly attended and the father and mother to be were showered with many blessings from the guests.

Onto traditions:  Today is a rainy, Sunday and we are chillin' at Rocky Ridges (that is the name of the homestead)

We have some incredible traditions in our family.  Most of them were incorporated early on in our marriage and years later still stick with us.  With all of the children out of the home, my husband and I still keep most of the traditions alive (for my sake).  Each family member has their favorite family tradition.   
Starting with the New Year's day we have Rose Bowl Parade, large breakfast, and football.  We take the tree and decorations down and clean the house up....The holidays are over and way to start a new year!  Winter months are filled with snow fun, trips to Tahoe, sledding, skiing, and the twins birthday. 
Valentine's Day was full of coupon books and showering love to each other. 
March was a month we went to Bodega Bay camping, crabbing, and kiting.  Such fun memories of the bay. 
Easter is a very special day for me, as it is the reason I serve God, with His death and resurrection. From Good Friday, Sunrise Service on Easter and a large breakfast, followed by an egg hunt or scavenger hunt and family fun-my favorite holiday and family traditions of the year. 
Spring and summer we enjoy river, camping, and outdoor fun along with five birthdays from the rest of the family.  Can you believe five of us have birthdays from June through August?  When the children were out of school for the summer, I would take them on road trips to visit family in Las Vegas or Phoenix.  What incredible summers we would have.  We went to the beach, river, swimming, camping, and hiking. 
Then school would start and fall activities started.  Fall Festivals, pumpkin patches, and carving our pumpkins.  Fall also brought more hikes, last river walks, and  school fun.
Bring on Christmas!  We tree hunt around the middle of the month.  Cutting a fresh tree *my husband and I stick with Silver Tip now*  We decorate and enjoy the corny Christmas music of the season, Christmas Cookies, look for Santa, Christmas light touring, attending a Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve and family on Christmas Day. 
As the children grew they got more involved with sports, friends, and school.  The traditions still hung around, even when the kiddos didn't.   

I am really excited to see what traditions our children and/or their spouses incorporate into their families

Baby Shower

I cannot remember the last time I attended a baby shower and I have not had the privilege to plan a baby shower, until tonight!  I have learned that baby showers have changed since my baby showers.  

My first baby had two showers,one was given by my mom and was an afternoon gathering of women on my parents deck and one was given after he was born by a long time friend from our church, at her home (she was the one who sang in our wedding and gave us the helicopter ride on our honeymoon).  We had light snacks, cake, a game, and the showering of my firstborn of needed items for his first years.  At the time I was living in their home, I had to wait until my child was born to be able to move into a house on base.  I had sold an alto saxaphone for a Jenny Lind baby set.  The set was beautiful and came with a bassinette, crib, high chair, and changing table.  All of this was set up in a bedroom in my parents home.  I moved from Knob Noster, MO to their home in May, 1991.  I did not want to know the sex of my baby and so when my water broke on August 12, 1991 I knew I would know soon enough.  So my mom and I drove to the hospital at Beale AFB and waited and walked and waited.  That was a very long night.  Then at 7 am the doctor said he needed to induce, it had been over 12 hours and no sign of labor.  They started prepping for the pitocin and no sooner than they got me hooked up to the IV and my beautiful, perfect son was born.  It all happened so fast, the doctor wasn't even in the room.  Then the baby was not breathing properly and the nurse and my mom wisked him down the hall.  August 13, 1991, with no pain meds and very little pitocin my firstborn is very healthy.

My second baby shower was given after her birth by a friend at church at her home.  The baby shower was light snacks, visiting and so much fun.  We did not want to know the sex of the baby and so, as with the first, my water broke one very early morning (1 am) and we took our time going to the hospital, especially if I had to wait 12 hours again.  So I showered, cleaned the house, and ate.  My mom came down to watch the kids about 5:30am.  We headed to the hospital and waited...and walked and waited.  We met other mom's waiting.  One would become a play date buddy for my daughter in her early years.  The doctor started the pitocin and a little longer and harder labor a beautiful, perfect baby was born.  She was past her due date by 3 weeks and a very healthy baby.  

Baby showers are now so diverse:  full meals or snacks, fancy cake/cupcakes, games/no games, co-ed, "reveal" events, and extravagant decorations*thanks to Pinterest*.

The shower tonight is a co-ed (this will be my husbands first shower ever to attend), a full barbeque dinner, a game, and beautiful cupcakes.  

Tonight's baby shower will be a showering of blessing upon a family, who within the next month will have a beautiful firstborn boy added to their family.  

*If you wish to comment on my blogs please login to a gmail account first*  This is a community blog--I welcome your stories and comments.  

Books I am reading today:  America's Greatest Disasters by Martin W. Sandler, Culture's Collide by Ann Rosi, Amazing Native American History by Liz Sonneborn,, Saltypie by Tim Tingle.  

Movies/TV shows:  Lark is Rising to Candleford.

ALOHA

Today is a dreamy kinda Friday....

a no make-up kinda day.....

a storm is coming our way kinda day.....

Last night we were reminiscing about Hawaii.  Hawaii is our special place.  

Actually, Kauai to be specific.

So Aloha, which means peace, compassion and mercy. 

 The islanders used it in greeting and farewells.

My first trip to the islands I was 17 years old and had just graduated high school.  I saved my money and with the help of some graduation money I was on my way to Oahu.  With a lei greeting (the only time I received one) and nothing but island time on my hands from June 20, 1988 to July 7, 1988.  I stayed with a family friend who lived on the Ala Wai Canal.  She met me at the airport and was a gracious hostess.  The first morning I woke up hearing yelling and grunting and more yelling.  Oh my goodness I was up and out of bed really quick.  The Ala Wai Canal is famous for professional rowing practice (canoeing) .  For the remainder of the trip, each morning I woke up to this sound.   I came to appreciate the sound and would sit on the lanai, while planning my day and watch them.  My main modes of transportation were bus and walking.  You can get almost anywhere on the island with their bus system.  I toured the following places in the time I was there.  My hostess  worked for Captain Bob's Catamaran in Kanoehe Bay, that would be a definite must do.  We took a catamaran out in the bay and were serenaded with Hawaiian music, provided a barbeque and my first snorkeling lessons.  We snorkeled around the reef and played volleyball in the sandy shallow waters.  So cool.  We saw such amazing tropical fish and dolphins.  

*July 1, 1988- Toured the island with a coach tour

*Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Tour

*Snorkeled Hanauma Bay

*Kodak Hula Dance

*Toured Paradise Park

*Aloha Tower

*International MarketPlace

**Waikiki Baptist Church on Sunday

*Pier 7 and the Falls of Clyde

*Luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center 

*Waikiki

*Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center

*Hiked to the top of Diamond Head

*Hit most beaches in Oahu....

June 22, 1988 Jolani Palace

*June 23, 1988 went to see Nunsense in the Manoa Valley Theatre

*Waikiki Aquarium

*Kuhio Mall 

*Waimea Falls Park

*Dole Cannery Square

*Hilo Hattie Fashion Factory

*Zoo(while walking through the park got a surprise from a flyby bird.....)  Had to go back and change.  So big, juicy and gross I gagged...

Hawaii will always be a special place and I am so glad I spent my graduation trip there. 

Fast Forward to August 8, 1992.  George and I honeymooned in Kauai.  Our wedding night we spent in San Francisco and took off early the next morning for our island.  We arrived and picked up our car.  We stayed at the Kiahuna Plantation in Poipu Beach from August 9, 1992 to August 16, 1992.  We were provided a daily fruit/bread basket for breakfast.  

*We drove to the beaches, waterfalls, through quaint little towns

*Enjoyed the sunsets every night

*Took a helicopter tour through the Waimea Canyon-this was a gift from a friend who sang at our wedding.  

*Smith's Tropical Paradise-Fern Grotto tour and luau

*Snorkeling in Poipu-I absolutely love snorkeling as long as the seaslife stay a comfortable distance away.... no nibblers.  So one day I was snorkeling and really into the view and turn my head to the left and there is a 5 ft+ turtle swimming with me, only a few inches from my face.  So I hyperventilate and head up.  He scared me so bad, but it was soooo... cool.  I went back head down and swam with him for about 1/2 hour. 

This island is a honeymooner's dream.   The garden isle.  This was our honeymoon remember so we did what honeymooners do best!
Til next time....ALOHA

After an amazing family trip to S. Korea for 10 months.  Actually, my husband was stationed at Osan for 12 months, and we tagged along.  We were ready to see the islands again.  So with 5 children in tow, we took an adventure.  My husband hopped before us to Oahu.  He got the car and was ready for us.  I got the great task of herding 5 children through Seoul and flying with them, my oldest daughter and youngest twin were the biggest helps in occupying the younger two.  Any flight I take now will be nothing compared to that one.  So we stayed 8 days at Camp Bellows in the cottages(with an ocean view)  The cottage had 2 rooms.  The children shared a room.  The trip was amazing.  We snorkeled, beached, boogie boarded, beached, toured the island a bit.  With 5 children ranging from 4 to 14 this was an incredible experience.  The oldest daughter and I attended the Polynesian Cultural Center Luau.  Snorkeling was fun at Hanauma Bay.  The girls were so scared of the fish they did not even put their masks on.    The boys loved boogie boarding and hanging out in the sand.  The oldest twin stayed in the sun too long one day and was as red as a lobster.  So no sun and aloe for the rest of the trip.  He cried when he laid down at night, the bed would have sand in it.  He was hurting so bad and I felt so sorry for him.  We learned about sunburns the hard way, huh?  
Til next time...ALOHA

The next trip to Kauai was February 20-27, 2002.  Can you believe it has been 10 years?  I hope it has not changed.  The flight took 5 1/2 hours and was a straight flight to Lihue, Kauai.   We arrived at 1:00pm and went directly to pick up the car.  We were really hungry and stopped at Pizza Hut in Lihue, Kauai.  Then we went to check inn to our room at Kiahuna Plantation.  We walked through the beautiful garden and on the beach.  We watched the sunset from the Sheraton then walked across the street to the Poipu Shopping Center.   Day 2, we had a continental breakfast then set out to see Wailua Falls and Lydgate Park.  We suntanned and walked up the Wailua River and saw coco Palms (where Elvis Presley stayed).  It had been hit pretty hard by Hurricane Iniki and never remodeled.  It is pretty tore up.  Then we drove to Opaekea Falls and the Wailua River overlook.  We came back to room and relaxed.   Then went out to BK for dinner, Spouting Horn to watch the sunset.  At Spouting Horn there is said to be a dragon stuck under the lava rock and you can here him breathe and snort.  Day 3, We started off by walking Poipu Beach, and saw some cool breaks on the rocks, saw some turtles.  We drove around the west coast through the Hanapepe, coffee fields, sugar plantations, and saw the salt fields.  In Hanapepe we visited the Swinging Bridge, it was pretty old and scary to walk across.  Then we headed up to Waimea Canyon and all the way to Kokee State Park and overlooked the NaPali Coast.  We got car sick on the return trip down the hill.  We went to Barking Sands Pacific Coast Missile Range.  We bought some food and ate dinner on the beach and watched the sunsel on the best beach on Kauai.  We watched whales through a telescope.  The sunset behind Nihua island.  Very cool.   Day 4 We went golfing, we completed 9 holes and the course was right on the ocean.  Very beautiful.   Then came back to the room to relax and enjoy the beach.  Then drove to Koloa and had an ice cream and read about the history of the sugar plantation.  We came back to our beach and sat under the stars on the beach.  Very clear night and no wind.  Day 5, We went to church at Koloa Church then drove up the east coat to Kee Beach.  Beautiful Na Pali Coast.  We sat on the beach, hiked up the Na Pali Coast and relaxed on the beach.  We drove slowly back and visited other beaches, the lighthouse and watching the sea birds come in for breeding.  We enjoyed a Luau at the Hyatt.  Very nice!  Good Kalua pig and free Mai Tai's.  It started raining and got very windy. Day 6, took a drive to Kapaa then came back to room and laid on the beach.  We had dinner in the room, then watched the sunset.  Day 7, We hung out all day on the beach, snorkeled, boogie boarded and watched the sunset, then kicked back with our sunburns.  Day 8, Time to go back.  Went to beach then checked out of our room.  Til next time.... ALOHA

The next trip was October 5-12, 2007.  We were using the excuse that our youngest twin son's college team, Utah State University was in Oahu to play University of   Hawaii.  I journaled this trip and it was on the calendar.... A pretty big trip for my older children and us.  We arrived in Oahu and picked up our car, we drove to Waimea Audobon Gardens and walked up to the falls through the gardens.  We checked into Hale Koa...such beautiful property.  We met our football player for dinner on Waikiki and then went back to the hotel for a nap.  We knew the football player was a night owl and we aren't so a nap was in order.  We were asleep for a little over an hour when Pearl Harbor started (only in 2007)  Someone was bombing us.  We woke up and scrambled to find out what was going on.... What is it with the islands and noise?  It was fireworks from the hotel next door, but wow were we shaking from the startling wake up.  Then we laughed and laughed.   We went out to meet our football player on Waikiki Beach and sat on the beach with he and his friends.  

The next day we walked down Waikiki Strip, met our football player at his hotel, napped, drove to Hilo Hattie's and onto the Aloha Stadium for the game.  After the game we met with the football player at his hotel.  Somewhere in this trip we took our oldest daughter, oldest twin and his girlfriend(now his bride) on Captain Bob's Catamaran cruise and a day out.  I am not quite sure when we snuck this in, but I know we did.  
Til next time.... ALOHA

Then my husband and I flew to Kauai and stayed at Barking Sands Naval Base Cottages.  The first morning we woke up to screaming and screeching.  Not knowing what was going on, we scrambled to check it out.  It just happens, the trees behind the cottage are home to the loudest flock of birds anywhere.  So each morning we were greeted by the screeching birds of paradise.  Ear plugs help some.  We alternated days to plan events.    We really like it here!  Despite the screeching birds.  We shopped for food, went to the beach, swam, and enjoyed the sunset on the beach.  We decided to alternate choosing the events for the day.  So I started Monday.....actually, I should have let you guess? 

Monday, we drove to Waimea Canyon, took a picnic lunch up the canyon, hiked for 3 hours toward Alakai Swamp.  Awesome Rainforest, rained most of the hike, beach, swim, sun, and chill. 

Tuesday I rented snorkel gear and boogie board on base.  I got to the beach ready for some snorkeling and the first big wave carried away all of my snorkel gear in my hands. GONE.  The boogie board was wrapped to my wrist, thank goodness, however, it was beating me up.  Oh, did I tell you how graceful I am at times?  So I ended up going to the rental place and telling them I lost all the gear and they gave me new gear ***free***  I think they felt sorry for me and my less than gracefulness.  Anyway, I got to snorkel all day.  We went to dinner out at Shenanigan's on base.  

Wednesday we went to Wailua Falls, Opakee Falls, Wailua Fern Grotto Boat Ride, Lydgate Park (snorkeling), Poipu Beach (snorkeling), Kiahuna Plantation, Walmart, Shenanigan's for dinner and whale watching.  

Thursday we toured the coffee company, visited spouting horn, beach, sun and chill.  

We walked the beach each day - a 17 mile beach at Barking Sands.

Friday we went home....such mixed emotions***I miss my kids and love the islands***

Refreshed and ready!
Til next time.... ALOHA
 

Next month we will be going to Kauai again.  This time we rented a house and have 7 of us.  My husband and I, the oldest twin and his wife, the youngest daughter and her boyfriend and BFF (our third daughter).  Cannot wait!  Tickets bought, house rented, food list made, talking over events for the trip....  Sooooo..... excited!

Aloha...